Poachers Pantry Smokehouse Restaurant and Vineyard

Poachers Pantry is nestled in the hills just 30 minutes from Canberra’s central business district. It is a family business that started in 1991, built around the love of good food and wine and sharing with family and friends. Located on a rural property, its cool climate vineyard and artisan smokehouse are showcased in its contemporary restaurant, cellar door and farm shop. The cellar door offers tastings of its range of estate-grown cool climate wines. Splash tastings are complimentary, and for a more immersive experience, tutored tastings of six wines can be enjoyed at a table for $15. The restaurant serves a two and three-course menu from Thursday to Sunday with a Poachers Vineyard wine pairing option. Its range of smoked meats is available from the walk-in pantry. Buy the smoked duck breast – a Sydney Royal Show Champion – and a Poachers Vineyard Pinot Noir (awarded Best Pinot in NSW at the 2022 NSW Wines Awards) for the ultimate culinary souvenir. The terrace is a lovely spot in summer to enjoy a meal and a glass of wine. In winter, the open log fire crafted out of blue stone is the place to enjoy a slow-cooked dish with a glass of estate-grown shiraz. Ideally located close to the vineyards of Murrumbateman, it is the perfect place to have lunch while exploring the wine district.